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South Korea Rejoices As Spain Cries Foul
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Balloons are released in the
air as South Korean soccer fans cheer in Seoul
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SEOUL
, June 22 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - South Korean coach Guus
Hiddink hit back Saturday, June 22, at critics who claim the referees
have been biased towards his team during their magical march into the
World Cup semi-finals, news agencies reported.
"That
is not fair," said Hiddink. "Errors are made, by players, by
coaches and by referees and linesmen. The losing team should look
in the mirror. Not look to external circumstances."
Controversy
has followed
South Korea
following their shock golden goal win over
Italy
and then their penalty shoot-out victory over
Spain
on Saturday to set-up a semi-final clash with
Germany
.
Spanish
players claimed they were robbed of victory after they had two 'goals'
disallowed.
Millions of South Koreans went into raptures Saturday as their team
created history, beating
Spain
5-3 on penalties to become the first Asian side ever to reach the
World Cup semi-finals.
Skipper
Hong Myung-Bo became
Korea
's hero when he blasted home the winning penalty past Spanish keeper
Iker Casillas after
Spain
's Joaquin had missed his spot-kick.
While
Hong was being hugged by his teammates a tearful Joaquin was led off
the field by teammates trying to console him.
Joaquin
missed as goalkeeper Lee Woon-Jae guessed correctly and dived to his
left to maintain an amazing record. Lee has faced seven penalty
shootouts for his club Suwon Bluewings - and he has won the lot.
After
defying all expectations, the South Koreans now meet
Germany
in
Seoul
on Tuesday for a place in the final in
Yokohama
,
Japan
, on June 30.
That
match is likely to see even more people take to the streets than the
estimated five million who watched on giant screens nationwide on
Saturday.
Some
two million fans, nicknamed the 'Red Devils', were already chanting in
the streets of central
Seoul
long before kickoff and the capital is likely to be totally clogged
with supporters in what has become a feeding frenzy of national pride,
heightened by the elimination of co-hosts
Japan
at the last 16 stage on Tuesday.
Spain
had been seeking to reach the World Cup semi-finals for only the
second time and luck had been on their side in the previous round as
they saw off
Ireland
in a shootout.
This
time the Koreans, whose scarlet-shirted fans went wild at the end,
having been on the edge of their seats during 120 minutes which had
failed to produce a goal.
"I
am so happy for the boys who fought to the end," said
Korea
's Dutch coach Guus Hiddink.
The
Koreans had to fight tooth and nail for their win, however, as
Spain
dominated most of the encounter.
And
the Spanish issued a sour parting shot as they claimed they were
robbed of victory after Egyptian referee Gamal Ghandour disallowed two
goals.
Ruben
Baraja had nodded into the net via a deflection off Kim Tae Young for
the Spaniards five minutes after the interval but Ghandour had already
blown for shirt tugging.
Fernando
Morientes then also headed home two minutes into extra-time from a
Joaquin cross - yet Ghandour's assistant referee Michael Ragoonath of
Trinidad and Tobago had flagged for a goalkick even though the ball
had not crossed the goalline.
Bitter
Spanish keeper Casillas implied that referees had been favoring the
Koreans throughout the tournament.
"We'd
already seen this when South Korea played against the United States,
Portugal and Italy," he stormed.
Spanish
coach Jose Antonio Camacho tried to be diplomatic.
"We
fought hard but luck was not with us. But I am sad as we fought hard
for 120 minutes and lost unjustly. This isn't good for football."
"It
happened to Italy, and us as well. They've stolen qualification from
us," shrieked an irate commentator on private television channel
Antena3 who were showing the match live.
Another
said Spain had simply paid the price of playing against one of the
tournament co-hosts.
"Italy
warned us about it - when you play against one of the teams involved
in hosting the tournament you have to be prepared to pay a
price," lamented another commentator on public radio.
Egyptian
referee Gamal Ghandour in particular came under fire.
"Until
now, the refereeing (in the tournament) has been suspect, but this is
simply shameful," cried other commentators after one of Spain's
goals was disallowed.
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